The Break Continues

I finally finished my first waiting cycle and am now on to the last before I can start treatment again. Because of vacation plans, I'm skipping this next month as well. We've been talking about this vacation for over a year and finally planned it. When you're in treatment it's hard to make plans as you have to be at the clinic on certain days that are hard to predict in advance. Once I knew this vacation would prevent another cycle I went back and forth about whether or not I still wanted to go. Getting pregnant is a big priority in life, but at the same time I don't want to miss out on life while I'm waiting. I knew I would regret it if I didn't go, so here I am. Hopefully another month drug-free will be good for my body and I'll be more than ready when it's time to start again.

In the last few weeks I've been going to a chiropractor and also getting acupuncture to help my body be in optimal condition for when I start treatment again. My luteal phase was a lot longer this month which I was happy about. I'm not sure if I can credit that to acupuncture or not, but I'm happy that I'm doing it. It's weird to think that tiny needles stuck all over my body can help my fertility, but it's seemed to have helped others. I've been feeling more positive lately and hopeful for the fall. But in the mean time while I continue to play the waiting game, I plan to enjoy my vacation, reconnecting with friends, seeing a beautiful part of the country, quality time with my husband and thinking about this whole process as little as possible.

My friend J...

One of the people I'm thankful for on this journey has been my friend J. We met in an online community almost a year ago and ended up at the same fertility clinic with the same specialist. When we realized we'd be there on the same day we decided to meet. It was nice to put a face to one of the people I'd been chatting with.

J and I were on a very similar path. We both had laparoscopic surgery within a few months of each other, tried Clomid and then moved onto injections and IUI. For several months our cycles actually lined up almost to the day meaning we were at the clinic at the same time and could chat in the waiting room. On my first month of injections J was doing the same and we both ended up being unsuccessful with nothing but a bunch of cysts to show for it. We both took a month off of treatment, both had long cycles while we waited and then were a day apart when we could try again. J and I waited together for our last procedures and she saw me in tears after mine was cancelled. Even though we don't actually see each other often, I feel like we've been through a lot together!

Well, yesterday J had an ultrasound and saw her baby's heartbeat for the first time!!! I came home from vacation in early July to find out that J was pregnant. Although we were hoping we'd get our BFPs together I was thrilled for her! She'd been on this journey for over 2 years and it was her time. It is encouraging to know that someone on such a similar road with identical treatment was finally successful. This DOES work!

So J, thanks for being such a great friend through the last several months. Thanks for continuing to put up with my lengthy emails as I keep working towards my BFP. Few people, if anyone, understands as much as you what this process is like and your support has been invaluable. You already know this but I am SO happy for you! Your success has given me hope that someday, hopefully sooner than later, I will get to hear my baby's heartbeat too! :)

Going Natural

This summer has been about waiting. In terms of treatment there is nothing I will likely be able to do until sometime in September. That has been a huge frustration for me this summer... all this time and energy and I'm forced to wait. On a bad day it feels like it's all very unfair. On a good day I can see how waiting might be a good thing. Especially during my last cycle, my body was put through a lot and could probably use a break.

I've had the book, "The Infertility Cure" on my shelf for almost a year. It was lent to me by a friend but at the time I didn't feel like reading anything else related to infertility, especially about Chinese medicine which I had no interest in. But recently I've read through a few chapters which has led me to look into some natural therapies. I figured I have time, I might as well investigate. So last week I met with a naturopath who focuses on fertility and she suggested acupuncture. I've heard good things about how it can really increase success rates so I've decided to try it. My first session is on Saturday. The best part was when she took my history and told me I would have lots of babies. Depending on her definition of lots, I hope she's right. It gave me hope and at this stage you grab onto anything that will help you keep going.

So while I wait I've decided the only thing I can do is make sure my body is as healthy as it can be when I'm able to start treatment again. Who knows if will make make a difference, but I know it can't hurt and gives me something to focus on in the mean time.